Robin Van Persie appears likely to play for Manchester United against Everton on Monday. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Robin van Persie is a "fantastic player" and suggested he may now have the best strikeforce in Europe. He compared his options to those of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who spearheaded the 1999 treble-winning team.

The Manchester United manager is confident that Van Persie will be available to make his club debut against Everton on Monday night, with the player having been driven from London to a local hospital to complete his medical on Thursday.

After being informed that Bwin, the club's new gambling partner, was offering 3-1 against Van Persie and Wayne Rooney emulating Yorke and Cole's 53-goal count from that season, Ferguson said: "Of course they are two fantastic players, and it's great to have the both of them. But also I think what gives us more strength is the combinations I have up front now. If you go back to the '99 season when I had Andy and Dwight and Teddy and Ole Gunnar – the four best strikers in Europe. So I think I'm going towards that now.

"I've got Chicarito [Javier Hernández], Wayne, Robin, Danny Welbeck and I've got [Shinji] Kagawa. That's a fantastic combination of players there. Hopefully I pick the right combinations. It's great to have a player of Van Persie's quality to come into the squad as it is. I'm really pleased."

United announced on Wednesday night that they had agreed a fee with Arsenal for the Holland striker, subject to him settling personal terms and passing a medical.

Ferguson said: "He is on his way up from London for a medical later this afternoon. We hope that goes according to plan. His agent is in discussions with [United chief executive] David Gill right about now.

"We hope all the things will be tied up, although sometimes medicals do take a bit longer. I am sure he will be available for Monday's game."

Ferguson was at Old Trafford for the launch of the new deal with Bwin, alongside Rio Ferdinand, who said of Van Persie: "There's been many a player that's come to Manchester United and not met expectations. Expectations here are higher than anywhere else in the world – some do brilliantly and some don't fare quite so well.

"I've got no worries about Robin, though. He's a very good professional and that will only work in his favour at this club. I know his main aim won't be a selfish one – it will be all about winning trophies. And if he can score goals like he did last year then we'll all be smiling come the end of the season.

"The manager has always said to me that the transfer window isn't always about who you bring in but it's as much about shaking up the changing room. And I think that's definitely something that's going to happen this time. We're bringing a big name into an environment that already has a lot of big names, especially in the forward department, so it's definitely going to shake things up. But it's going to be great for the squad."

Danny Welbeck, whose place in the United starting XI is directly under threat following Van Persie's arrival, believes the Dutchman can help win the title back. United lost the championship to Manchester City on the season's final day and Welbeck believes there will now be "goals galore" for the club.

He said: "Once you're at United you just have to try to impress and do the best you can. It's going to be shared out and hopefully it's goals galore for Manchester United. He's a player with great ability and a world-class striker. He can score goals and create as well. They're the type of players who do win you titles. It's given the club a massive boost, everyone is delighted to having him. I'm really looking forward to playing with him."

City were also interested in signing Van Persie, though Welbeck would not be drawn on how serious a statement his arrival is to their crosstown rivals.

He said: "United are always going to be serious about winning Premier Leagues. I'm sure there were plenty of other teams after him as well as City, that maybe couldn't have got him. But hopefully United will sign him and that's the main thing."

Regarding the competition Van Persie brings Welbeck said: "Yeah definitely, it's always good to have competition – you never sit back. It's going to be a good challenge to have. Once the season gets under way the manager will be good with squad rotation. But it's a good problem for the manager to have. He's got a good variety of strikers to use in different games, with there being European games as well. With the strikers we've got at the club it's a good problem for the manager to have.

"Being at United you learn to play with different types of strikers and players. Once we get training together I think everyone will be gelling perfectly. Hopefully the manager picks the right team for each game and we can win as many titles as possible."

As the club look to recover from the shock of losing their title to Manchester City last season, Ferdinand is conscious there is work to do. "Last season was disappointing for us because we didn't win the league," he said.

"Now it is about how we come back. We have shown in the past the mentality of the club and its history is that we always come back stronger.

"We want to give the fans what they expect and be battling at the top of the league. The gauntlet has been thrown down time and time again. It is up to us to pull in the right direction. We have to step up to the plate and produce. I am sure we will."